ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 7 August 1928, Page 3

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

TARANAKI ADMINISTRATION. CRITICISM BY DELEGATES. MEETING OP EXECUTIVE. Several matters in connection with the administration or Association football in Tar an aid were under criticism at a meeting of tiie provincial executive committee held at Stratford last evening.. There were- present: Messrs T. Smith, W. A. Brown, E. H. Linnell W. H. Barker (Hawera), P. G. deters (Celtic), Dr. R. J. R. Mecredy, W. Shepperd (Rangers,), J. Ereebairn, R. Bell (Caledonians), o. McKay (Moturoa), 0. Cuff (Referees’ Association), H. Ibbotson, Dr. D. E-. drown (Albion), and G. 11. Gorringe. In the absence of the president (Mr. W. B. Harlow) Mr*. Smith was voted to the chair, and in the absence of the secretary (AD. W. P. Goddard) correspondence was taken by Air. Gorringe. In view of his departure from tne { district at an early date, the secretary (AD. W. P. Goddard) forwarded his resignation. The resignation was accepted with regret, and it was decided to forward a letter expressing appreciation of the services rendered in the office by Air. Goddard.

Air. Gorringe was elected unopposed as secretary.

A HAWERA COMPLAINT

Air. Peters complained that the Hawera and Celtic clubs had not been advised of the meeting ah which the draw for the semi-finals of the Chinese Cup had -been made. Mr. W. A. Brown stated that he had given authority to the secretary of the northern sub-committee (Air. Sceats) to act for the Stratford club, and he understood the secretary had also communicated with the Auroa club. Air. Gorringe said that neither the - Hawera or Celtic clubs had been concerned in. the semi-finals. The chairman considered that the clubs should have been advised aiid given the opportunity of taking part in the draw. “Such business should -be attended to by the executive, and not by any north or south local committees independently of the parent body,” said Mr. Peters. Dr. Alecredy said that while the business may have- been carried out in an irregular manner it was arranged as a matter of expediency, and no slight ban been intended to the Hawera or Celtic clubs. Other northern delegates attested to the fairness of the draw, and the lacf that the resultant meeting of the two northern and two southern clubs in the respective semi-finals had been purely a matter of coincidence. ‘ ‘There seems to be nothing more to be done.” said Air Peters, in reply to the chairman’s request that the explanation offered be accepted.

ACTION IGNORED. “There is no body other than tlie Taranaki Pootball Association which can deal with a player reported for misconduct,” said Mr. Peters, when the report of tlie northern sub-committee was received explaining that at a meeting under the presidency of Alt. W. B. Harlow, held at New Plymouth on July 21, an inquiry had been taken into the report of the referee (Air. C. Cuff) regarding -the ordering off of a Caledonial player, J. Fawcett, for/ threatening .behaviour in the Caledonian ] v. Albion match on July 21. Fawcett had admitted the alleged threatening behaviour under great provocation from constant fouling by an Albion player, A. Jackson During the inquiry it was stated that Jackson had admitted the font, and also that Fawcett had the reputation of being a good clean player. In view of the clean record of Fawcett the northern committee decided that lie be severely censured, but that lie be nob suspended. The executive chairman agreed with Air Peters and on the motion of Mr Ibbotson it was decided to ignore the action of the northern committee.

PLiAYEIR’S MISCONDUCT.After full con,side-ration .the executive decided on tiie motion of Mr Ibbotson to uphold tlie action of the referee and that Fawcett -be censured for lii-s conduct, but that no further penalty ■ be inflicted.

Tlie referee of the Caledonian v. Moturoa game at New Plymouth on July 7 reported; Huglies (iMoturoa) and Griffen (Caledonian) for using obscene language. After the game .Hughes struck Grih'e 11, stated the report. In a letter tci the executive, Hughes admitted having struck Griffon after tlie game as tlie result of extreme provocation, though during the game lie had merely told Griffen to “colt”, tjte language out as there were ladies on the line, when Inshltinig terms had been addressed to him _by Griffon. Hughes, apologised fo,r his behaviour, but .said lie did not wish to be wrongly blamed for using bad language. lie also hoped the executive would forgive has opponent. No explanation of Hie incident was forwarded by Griffen. On tfie motion of Dr. Meoredy both players were suspended for three playing' Saturdays from the date of the meeting.

“FLOUTING THE SEDBCTOR.” “The players concerned are practically flouting the selector appointed by the association,” .said Dr. Mccrcdy wJien a report was received from Mr. Garringe, as the northern- selector, covering an intimation given him on July 21 by -Mr Kao, of the Caledonian Club, that members ot that dLu'b would not be available for the representative game. The reasons given by Mr Pea wore “that players for previous representative games bad, been olioson without due regard to their ability and positions; no loft back had been selected for the last game; half backs were out- of place; the right winger was a “duel” ; and that ether players at the top of their form were passed over. Air Dinnrll suggested that, failing adequate excuse being given, any player .selected who (refused to play die disqualified by the association. Air Peters sa.id that for sirch action the assrtr-iatioii would. be Justified in disqualifying the club. He moved that the club be asked to withdraw the remarks made concerning the selector, failing which the association would consider taking further action. This was seconded by Mr Barker and was carried, after the defeat of an amendment proposed by Mr McKay to tlie effect that the Caledonian. Club be asked, to reconsider its decision that its players would not he available.

FIXTURES. On the motion of Air Peters it was decided after a lengthy discussion that the final for the Chinese Cup between the Stratford and Caledonian Pubs be

played at Stratford on August 11, commencing at 2.15 p.m. Air G. Littlejohn was appointed as referee.

On the motion of Air Ibbotson it was decided to abandon the proposed North v. Sou-th trial game. The original intention having been that tlie proceeds of that game be devoted to the N.Z.F.A., and it was decided to -advise that body that the benefit could nob be arranged this season. A request for the Wanganui Association that a junior representative fixture be arranged was declined. It was decided to write to the Stratford 01 ub asking why Victoria Park was not -available for the North v. South match which had been set down for Saturday last. A letter received from the Referees’ Association asked that the executive in future to- appoint referees for cup finals. Another letter from the Referees’ Association -asked that financial assistance be given by the executive. The donation of £5 os was voted to the Referees-’ Association.

It was decided to support the Hawke’® Bay Football Association in its appeal -against the alteration by the N.Z.F.A. of the venue from Hastings to Wellington of Hawke’s Bay’s game with Peton-e in the Chatham Cup final. It was decided to make a grant towards the expenses of a recent dinner at New Plymouth when the Stratford Club was entertained on the occasion of tlie Julian Cup final and when a presentation wa-s made to Air WAdams as a past-president oif the -association.